Pulse oximeter - A need in Covid Pandemic

Pulse oximeter - Purpose and use

The pulse oximeter is a painless test that monitors the oxygen saturation level or the oxygen level in the blood and the pulse rate. It can detect even the small changes in how efficiently the oxygen is being carried from the heart, including the legs and the arms. It is a small clip-like device that attaches to a body part, like toes or an earlobe.

Pulse oximeter shows blood oxygen levels via an oxygen saturation measurement called peripheral capillary oxygen saturation or SpO2.

Purpose and Uses of Pulse Oximeter:

The purpose of the finger Pulse oximeter is to check how well the heart is pumping oxygen through your body. It is used to monitor the individual's health with any health condition which can affect blood oxygen level. The conditions include:

 

●       Lung cancer

●       Asthma

●       Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

●       Pneumonia

●       Heart attack

●       Congenital heart defects

●       Anemia

 There are a number of common use of fingertip Pulse oximetry that includes:

 

●       To evaluate how helpful the ventilator is

●       To assess how a new medication is working

●       To monitor the oxygen levels during or after surgical procedures that requires sedation

●       To evaluate whether someone needs help breathing

●       To determine how effective the oxygen therapy is

●       To check someone’s ability to tolerate increased physical activity

●       To evaluate whether someone suddenly stops breathing while sleeping - like in sleep apnea.

 

Is Pulse oximetry helpful in catching Covid-19 early symptoms?

The new Coronavirus causes Covid-19 to enter the body via a respiratory system which causes direct injury to a person’s lungs via inflammation and pneumonia, both can negatively impact how well the oxygen is transferred into the bloodstream. The oxygen impairment can occur at multiple stages of Covid-19 and not simply for critically ill patients on ventilators.

The person with Covid-19 can have low oxygen levels but otherwise appear well, called ‘happy hypoxia’. It is concerning because many of these patients may be more significantly ill than they feel, certainly need closer attention.

 This is why one may be wondering if an oximeter can help detect Covid-19 early.

Not everyone who tested positive for Covid-19 will have low oxygen levels. There are people who may have a very uncomfortable bout with fever, muscle and body aches, and GI upset at home, but never showed low oxygen levels.

If the person has mild symptoms of Covid-19 and is self-treating at home, pulse oximeters can be a very helpful tool for oxygen saturation monitoring so that low oxygen levels can be caught early.

The newly upgraded SantaMedical Generation 2 Finger Pulse Oximeter is a quick and precise way to check pulse rates and blood oxygen saturation levels. Self-adjusting finger clamp plus simple one-button design allows for easy operation. The small portable size makes it easy to handle and carry. Helpful for athletes and pilots to obtain quick and precise oxygen saturation readings.